The 30th edition of the popular Outlaw Trial took place at Scotch Creek (BC) over the May long weekend in absolutely brilliant weather conditions. The chief organizer , Ross Rathbone, along with his crew, did an outstanding job, making this event very, very special. The ladies who did all the scoring (Julie & Judy) deserve a special mention, because without them, the old guy would be struggling.

There were riders from Alberta, Vancouver and all over the Okanagan. Some were out to give it a try for the first time, some just rode for one day, but nobody went home without a smile, which is what is the main ingredient for a Trial that has lasted so many years,

Early Saturday morning, it was the Vintage riders who were first out to tackle ten sections of typical "English" style terrain, with a wide variety to test rider and machine. After this was completed, the riders fired up their modern bikes for the first day of the modern event, which featured twenty sections for the juniors and sportsman classes, but twenty-eight for the rest, including a final watery triple section called "Crazy Rhodes Creek". This proved to be a real challenge, with lots of points taken by the tired riders.

Saturday night was time for the traditional "Cook-fest", with Ross and Jake doing the honours with help from the other super friendly family members. And then a big surprise - Ross had arranged for a superb fireworks display. When I say, "If you were not there, you really missed a good one", it just seems to get better every year. Everybody has such a great time.

As always, Team Outlaw was out on the loop, watching the action, and taking lots of video and still shots. The mud holes on the trail might have reminded Stan Bakgaard of the stuff he was riding a couple of weeks ago in Scotland, and they certainly caught out a few people, but it all added to the fun.

Sunday dawned clear and bright, and the seven classes all did it again, but this time the Juniors and Sportsmen rode the last eight sections - including the notorious "Rhodes" hazard.

At the end of a quite hot afternoon the scores for both days were tallied up, and the overall winners announced with "Trophy Gal" Judy Rathbone presenting the medals and plaques.